Tipping in MSC Yacht Club

The #1 question people have before cruising on MSC (and especially in the Yacht Club) is "How should I tip onboard?". It's a great question and we tackle the sometimes complex world of tipping on MSC. Join Us!
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[@CraigH-ep5db]

I take pictures with the crew that shows their name so I can remember them and also the picture definitely helps me remember what it was that I do want to write about their great service.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Great idea! 🤩

[@madeux324]

Fantastic Video! I sincerely appreciate your helpful information. I'm heading to grab my notepad so I can start writing down people's names. Very helpful. 😊 It was a big question mark for us as we're going cruising on August with the Yacht Club for the first time. Despite having fifteen years of cruise experience, we had never participated in the Yact Club, which seems like a different kind of vacation. You folks are the best! 🚢

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thank you so much. We are happy that this information can help as we had the same questions. We hope you have an amazing time and fall in love with YC just as most of us do. Let us know how it goes 😁😁😁

[@CraigH-ep5db]

I have been on numerous cruises and I would never think about removing tips. People need to grow up. You are correct go to guest services and let them know your concern. We do the pre-cruise tips and then we tip folks for their service personally to us. Keep up the great work

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thank you! Couldn’t agree more! 😊🤩😊

[@janetrichardson2644]

Thank you. Recognizing employees who are helpful always is appreciated. Always be kind.

[@coopieclanrcncom]

This is a great video! There are always so many questions about tipping on cruises. I agree with you that prepaying the gratuities should never be removed. It takes care of ALL those we do not see but add to our experience. I've traveled in Yacht Club before and I usually plan to tip my Butler $15-$20 per day, his assistants (there are usually 2) $10 per day. I give this to them in an envelope at the end of the cruise. I do tip the bartenders and servers $1 or 2 depending on what they do for me. I always leave a tip for breakfast(if not eating at the YC buffet) and lunch of $5 on the table. I leave a tip of $10 at dinner. I do this at breakfast/lunch and dinner because often we weren't seated with the same servers at mealtime.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Great advice. Take care of the people that make your cruise memorable 😊

[@keithballweg5138]

Trying to determine tipping for our first MSC cruise I contacted MSC regarding tipping in general having read the blurb "MSC does not recommend tipping individual..." but more specifically the butler. Having cruised extensively on NCL and having butlers I wondered if MSC butlers receive a portion of the daily gratuity as NCL butlers DO NOT share in the daily gratuity but rather rely solely on tips. I was assured MSC butlers do share in the daily gratuity. In the end we did provide a generous tip to our butler but less than had we been on NCL. Regarding tipping in Europe being included in the price also weighed in on my final decision and you mentioned it your video and is valid.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yeah it would make a big difference if the butlers did not receive anything unless you tipped them. I like the way MSC does it. Tip extra if you feel like it was wonderful service!

[@user-hh1il7hk5y]

When tipping, I think it is important to tell the service provider exactly why their service stands out. Reinforce their friendly manner, prompt service, recognition of your preferences, or anything that causes them to stand out. On each cruise, we usually find 3 to 4 staff who seem to go above and beyond. In YC, the concierge has small envelopes available for tips and I found it easy to add a small note including my thoughts on their outstanding service. Written words always have a more lasting impact.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Wonderful tip!

[@Pirtosi]

I have never agreed with MSC's written policy about individual tipping. We always tip our room steward and always tip our favorite people. On our Seashore cruise last year, we had an exceptional gal that would serve us. She always remembered our names and what we liked to drink etc., and we tipped her $100 at the end of the cruise. We did it very covertly so none of the other crew could see, only because of their policy, we didn't want her to have to explain anything to the rest of the crew. I totally agree with remembering who you had the best interactions / experiences with on the cruise so you can give them a good shout out in the survey at the end. This truly does help get them moved up in the company, etc.

[@Stephanie-vx4zi]

It's because they're Swiss. Many think MSC are Italian, but they're Swiss (Italian speaking part of Switzerland.) Swiss don't have tipping culture , nor do most European countries, so they say that probably cos they are mainly based and known in Europe and directed originally to their European market. But its not a problem if you want to tip extra❤

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

💯

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

So right… Tipping is waaaay different in Europe. In some parts, it can even be considered an insult… as if you are being condescending to the server. 🤔 MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte is from Sant'Agnello… a section of Italy near Naples. For 8 years, he operated out of Italy. You are correct that they moved to Switzerland in 1978. Basically a Swiss-headquartered company for the last half century.

[@MC-ys4yf]

We love MSC! Because of yours and other channels we decided to give them a shot last June for the first time and since have been on 3 YC cruises and have 3 more booked! We always leave our auto gratuities on and tip our butler and servers individually. We like to tip our servers after every meal since in YC you may change up from day to day. Prior to trying YC we were DCL and land based all inclusive travelers, compared to DCL and 5 diamond all inclusive YC really does provide an amazing value and extremely good product. We hope to try Exlpora Journeys soon, possibly a west coast cruise in spring 2025.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thank you! We’ve been trying to figure out a way/time to get on Explora… someday!🤩

[@Dorich55]

Without further a-due, pun intended, I’d like to thank you for all of your videos! Very well done. My wife and I are doing our first MSC cruise next October. Can hardly weight!

[@tonythipboudy1734]

Wait

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thank you! Hope you guys have a great MSC experience!!!😊

[@phyllisphilp9014]

Looking forward to my first YC cruise. I appreciate the info.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

You will love the Yacht Club!! Have a wonderful vacation! Thanks!!!😊

[@charlenerichter6398]

Enjoying this podcast! On the Meraviglia we also had Rodelyn(sorry spelling) we never saw her till day 3. We still tipped but not as much as normal. We did tip more in the lounge (Isabel) she was our savior. She answered all of our questions & got use anything we needed & more!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Love that crew!!!!😊🥰😊

[@rjmoon93]

Great info, thank you! Taking our first cruise in the YC next month and this was really helpful in trying to figure out how much cash to bring and who to tip. Also love that you called out that the survey is just as important as the tip, I've heard this from crew on other cruise lines as well (NCL). It can really make or break a promotion for them!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yay! Hope you have an amazing YC experience (we’re pretty confident you will)!!!! Thanks!😊

[@donnabendell7688]

I think it’s a good idea to do a tip at the end to be put towards the whole of the staff not just the ones you see. It takes loads of people to make your holiday great, infront and behind the scenes. Everyone who stays in yacht club should do one week as a chamber person, waiter, kitchen staff etc. it would be a wake-up call for most people we met on yacht club !

[@rtw68]

Our first Yacht Club cruise is in December on Seascape. Great video and info! 👍

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yay!!! It’s such a great experience… have an awesome time!!😊

[@CRHotels]

What a good episode. We usually give USD 1.00 per person, per day to the people who serve us (butler, junior butler), as we were in a hotel. And at the end of the cruise, extra tips for those who were extremely kind with us and with those we interacted more. I am writing from Brazil. And I agree: we always take photos of those people badges so that we can write good reviews of their jobs.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks! Sounds like a perfect tipping system!!!

[@macap5859]

Thank you so much. Such a honest review.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks! 😊

[@user-ln7qg7mq1k]

I so appreciate all your insight! Just got upgraded to Yacht Club yesterday and I'm trying to learn all there is to know!

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Was your upgrade paid or complimentary? Hope I'm upgraded.😊

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yay! Is there a better email to open than that one?!??? Have a wonderful time!

[@billyfranquiz3910]

We’ve tipped our Cabin Steward and MDR Waitstaff like you guys, at the end of the cruise. Everyone else that we want to tip, we do it at the time of service because we may not see them again. Either they’re not at the same location at a later date or we may not return there a second time. These folks we give less of a tip than Cabin and MDR. Also, the length of the cruise determines the amount we give to our Cabin and MDR staff. Always a pleasure watching you guys.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks! And it sounds like you guys have a great plan… love it!😊

[@scottbonehead]

We tipped crew on our cruise. We weren’t in yacht club (next time!) our cabin steward was brilliant, so we tipped him on the last night. The staff as a whole were exceptional and get paid peanuts, so it’s nice to give them a little extra for all their hard work.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yes we do that as well. I’m not usually a person to carry $$ but always bring some to those bartenders or really any crew that go the extra step 😊

[@Dave17101]

The Yacht Club is special. It is a huge step up and I never felt like an intruder in the world of the elites. With the exception of one super entitled couple we all mingled in the lounge and restaurant with no issues and became friends over the time of the cruise. The crew were amazing they learned our names, preferences, and needs by day 2 and truly made the cruise stress level go to zero. I almost felt guilty not using enough of the services offered. Loved that bottle already waiting for me when I entered the stateroom.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Could not agree more!

[@thomasmurphy502]

Insightful as always.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks!

[@buney]

Just got back from the Yacht Club in Cape Town.. We tipped where tipping is due and deserved or else standards fall. We tipped our Butler and maid in cash. They were delighted, even exchanged contact details.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Find those crew members who make that cruise exceptional and they’ll work hard for you… great way to recognize them!🤩

[@sarahmurphy6733]

I’ve taken them off once, it was out first Carnival cruise. Our room attendant walked in on me changing for dinner TWICE, my tatas were out the second time. We informed them when our dinner reservations were multiple times. That was the breaking point, the cruise overall was okay, our meals were cold in the dinning room, the bartenders would ignore our kids for soft drinks, I had to go ask them if there was a problem. I'm a very non confrontational person and will let things slide, this was a one off on our cruising experience. Yes we spoke to the manager, yes we understand the tips go to everyone, but we seemed to just have a horrible experience all around. We did tip in cash to those who were Awesome, but we felt our gratitude was not wanted.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Carnival… you don’t have to say anymore than that! 🙃🤪😜🤪🙃

[@jdavid2003]

Can you talk about the optional MSC wearables? I’ve read non-yacht club cruisers can purchase once aboard for $9.95 (or less if you purchase more than one). Where do you go to purchase? Can you save the wristband to use on a future cruise or do you have to buy one each time?

[@aminor7476]

I consider if I can afford to cruise I can afford to pay the gratuity plus extra to anyone who gave us extra service!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

💯

[@coopieclanrcncom]

Plus It's great to take pictures of the crew members you like and post about them. Make sure you can see their badges. I was told by some crew that not only does it help them advance it adds hours to their time off allowance.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

I think that is better than tipping sometimes… to improve their standing on the ship and with their peers (but we tip also 😁😁)

[@coopieclanrcncom]

@@Taste-Try-Travel I do tip too.

[@Dave17101]

Some people complain about MSC staff not being in your face all the time asking if you need something. I personally prefer MSCs type of service. They are available, very friendly, and will go out of their way for you if you make a request. Auto tipping should never be taken away. You are Taking money from the staff that launder your sheets and towels, prep your food, wash thousands of dishes, pans, and pots. Those staff members are not paid remarkably well and depend on our tips. I always tip extra for those who make my cruise more memorable and will continue to do so. You are so right Chris, if your service is continually bad throughout the ship, take a long look in a mirror for the reason. Not luxurious Chris? C'mon you have a Waffle House coffee cup. That is a luxurious breakfast.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha! Nothing better than sitting in a Waffle House at 3am, eating some crispy waffles, while trying to pry your shoes off the sticky floor!!! 😁🧇😁 Thanks!!!!

[@farab4391]

You hit the nail on the head at the start, you see gratuities as part of the cruise price. The reason anyone and everyone is always talking about tips/gratuities on cruises, is because cruise companies call it exactly that. They should just include it in the price and never mention it again. I loved it when I moved to the UK, they use VAT so there's no sales tax to be added and they don't really tip. It's sooo nice always knowing exactly how much something is going to cost you upfront. Also, everyone should earn a decent wage, the concept of your income depending on tips is really odd to me.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks… Great idea! It would solve a few problems for sure!!

[@Weldonmann]

The problem here is that it’s listed as a gratuity. Gratuities are non-mandatory tips given at your discretion. The cruise lines should just make this mandatory fee and not call it a gratuity. Call it a service fee. But gratuities are to ensure promptness and they are at my discretion.. And it’s not part of your cruise fair. if it was part of your fair, you couldn’t remove it. They need to make it part of the cruise fair or they live with the fact that people pull them off.

[@robertcravens7793]

Hi not sure were to add this i need to use a mobility Schooter for most times other than short walks. American ships are for the most part ADA compliant. how are the MSC STAFF and Guests and ships compair with someone on a electric mobility Scooter. Once on Princess i spent just about an hour trying to meet up with my family two decks up but every time i pushed the button for the elavator and when the doors opend everyone got on and ther was not any room for me. is MSC similar

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Not exactly sure about guests… we suppose it’ll depend on if they’re thoughtful or not… but the crew were very accommodating for those with mobility issues the few times we witnessed it. Saw the crew helping folks at the buffet, at the theatre, and at the port.

[@robertsierra1670]

What’s the story on use of mobility scooters?

[@slice20]

Many just want to save money and not tip unfortunately.... I almost wish it wouldn't be an option to remove, the cruise price should just reflect this and not give people the option.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yeah… too many use it to “save” money. Not how we should be thinking of gratuity.

[@ElizabethLopez-zk9ud]

I have only been on four cruises, with other cruise lines, and I have never received these survey emails that everyone talks about. Hope I get one for MSC On my upcoming cruise.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Definitely a plus when we get one… we even had a crew member on this cruise we just got off of tell us how important that survey is to him and his fellow crew members. 🤩

[@marklevine7460]

Lots of great common sense tipping info, especially about yacht club! I didn't hear what the daily service fee in yacht club was, though. $16? Higher?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thanks! There is no extra service charge for Yacht Club. It’s the same as anywhere else on the ship which, as of right now, is $14 per person (over 12) and $7 for children.

[@Stephanie-vx4zi]

I'm gonna ask! I on Meraviligia in April. Will ask if they keep their cash tips

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Let us know what you find out…😊

[@GlobalAdventurer]

If you get an OBC you can use it for the tip/service charge. That's what I do.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Absolutely 👍

[@macap5859]

On MSC is the Butler and Jr. Butler included in the daily gratuity?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yes. Both are included.

[@ScotchOnyx]

Is it always the same person cleaning your room throughout the entire trip?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yes. Always the same person… which is awesome cause you get a chance to get to know them! 😊

[@cZydek]

You say that in Europe it‘s uncommon to give a TIP to the waiters, I really don‘t know, where this comes from, I‘m living in Germany and everybody I know, gives about 10 percent of the bill as a TIP to the waiters. Most waiters get just a minimum wage, that is around 12€ in Germany, which is not much at all, so they do need the extra money. I‘ve been often to the USA, and I really don‘t like how you are pushed into paying a high percentage of your bill to the waiter. I mean, when you got a bill of around 150$, you are forced to pay an additional 30$ to the waiter. Since they serve more than one table at a time, they must make incredible amounts of money. I feel much better in giving a high TIP to a person, that is in a more personal contact with me, and spends much more time, for cleaning my room, for example. So room maids, and even more, room stewards on Cruise Ships will always get a somewhat high cash TIP from me and I feel good about it.

[@user-jj1ym5fk6i]

Too much silliness before you get to meatiness !

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

That is the perfect way to describe us. Love it ❤️

[@user-ft2fo3xk4i]

Couldn’t get through this video too much rambling

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

You ain’t heard nothin yet!

[@ExtraordinaryLiving]

Yea, O.P. (Original Post), same for me (altho I *made* myself get through the video because I wanted to see whether there is any truly valuable info; I also 2x the speed of the video.) I guess it is a matter of a difference in [communication receiving] styles and preferences ... for me, I am a busy person short on time; I want to get to the meat of everything in as short a time as possible, and not care for all the chatty stuff. For some people, especially the ones who have gotten to know the content creator, may enjoy it like a friendly conversation with a friend.

[@ExtraordinaryLiving]

@@Taste-Try-Travel 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

@@ExtraordinaryLiving We’re an “acquired” taste! (please read at 2x speed)🤪😊🤪 You hit the nail on the head… we do like it to feel a little more conversational and not so lecture’y. 🙂